Great Advice from Great-Aunt Violet

by Diane J. Standiford

My great-aunt Violet went to the Dr. to have her ears irrigated. "She kept the waiting room in stitches," my cousin said. She did however call the doctor a son of a b____, and while waiting shouted out (as only someone with stuffed ears can), "Why is the doctor taking so long?! Doesn't he know I am 102 and could go anytime?!"

The Dog-Violet Fairy, by Cicely Mary Barker

Aunt Violet Donna Lucille Boveine was the youngest of  six children. Her mother named her Violet and her two sisters were allowed to choose another name, hence her three names. She never married, but was never, ever, alone. Most of her many nieces and nephews were in some way raised by her. She lived from the age of 17 with her schoolmate, Ivah, until Ivah's death in her 80s. With Aunt Violet driving, they visited many states, worked many jobs, bought their own houses, and were women ahead of their time---never afraid to try new things.

Of our very large family, Aunt Vi lived the longest (so far), to age 103. She was a straight shooter and we all went to her for advice. 

I once asked her what her first memory was. She said it was when she sat on the front steps of the small house her father built and heard a boy shouting while running towards her. He was selling the newspaper and wildly shouting, "The Titanic Sinks!  The Titanic Sinks!" Her father rarely could afford the newspaper, but he bought that copy, so she knew it was something very important. 

I once asked her what her secret was to living so long and she replied, "Damned if I know! Just do what you want, that's what I did."  

Diane J. Standiford 

54 years old

Seattle, Washington

Thanks Diane! 

For more from Diane, please visit her blog: Retired in Seattle Viewpointe